Open AccessJournal Article
Medication management among home-dwelling older patients with chronic diseases: possible roles for community pharmacists
Els Mehuys,Laurence Dupond,Mirko Petrovic,Lucas Van Bortel,Thierry Christiaens,Leen De Bolle,Inge Van Tongelen,Jean Paul Remon,Koen Boussery +8 more
TLDR
In this paper, the authors describe medication management among home-dwelling older adults using at least one chronic medicine (n=338) and identify the following aspects of medication management by older adults that could be improved by pharmaceutical care sendces; (i) assistance of cognitively impaired patients, (ii) management of practical drug taking problems, (iii) DDI screening, (iv) drug adherence, and (v) chronic benzodiazepine use.Abstract:
ObjectiveTo describe medication management among home-dwelling older adults. These data should allow us to identify potential problems and to indicate target areas for community pharmacist intervention.DesignCross-sectional observational study.SettingCommunity pharmacies (n=86) in Belgium.ParticipantsHome-dwelling older adults using at least one chronic medicine (n=338).MeasurementsData on drug use were taken from the electronic pharmacy databases, while drug adherence was measured by pill count, self-report and estimation by GP and pharmacist. Drug knowledge and practical drug management capacity were assessed by patient interview and questionnaire, respectively.ResultsThe study population (n=338) used a median of 5 chronic drugs per patient. Half of our sample (n=169) used psychotropic medication chronically, mainly benzodiazepines. In 100 patients (29.6%) at least one drug-drug interaction of potential clinical significance was observed. The overall mean adherence per patient was very high (98.1%), but 39.6% of individuals was underadherent with at least one medication. Seventy-six % of patients had an acceptable knowledge of the indication for at least 75% of their medication. In nearly 15 % of the study population cognitive impairment was suspected by the Mini-Cog Test. The participants reported several practical problems with drug taking; difficulties with vision (32.0%), blister opening (12.1%), tablet swallowing (14.8%), tablet splitting (29.7% [represents % of patients who have to split tablets]) and distinction between different drug packages (23.4%).ConclusionThis study identified the following aspects of medication management by home-dwelling older adults that could be improved by pharmaceutical care sendces; (i) assistance of cognitively impaired patients, (ii) management of practical drug taking problems, (iii) DDI screening, (iv) drug adherence, and (v) chronic benzodiazepine use.read more
Citations
More filters
Medication Non-Adherence in the Elderly: How Big is the Problem?
TL;DR: The role of the patient (irrespective of age) is critical in decision-making about medication, together with communication between patients and healthcare professionals, through the concept of concordance.
Journal ArticleDOI
Dysphagia in the Elderly and its Implications in the Administration of Oral Dosage Forms
S. Martins,Ângelo Jesus,A Cruz +2 more
TL;DR: This work sought to identify the main diffi culties in the administration of solid oral dosage forms in individuals over 60 years of age, and their implications for adherence to therapy.
Journal ArticleDOI
Disfagia no idoso e suas implicações na administração de formas farmacêuticas sólidas orais
Sara Martins,Ângelo Jesus +1 more
TL;DR: A disfagia defi ne-se como a difi culdade na deglutição, which afeta a ingestão de alimentos, mas também medicamentos, is prevalente em idades avançadas as discussed by the authors.
References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Use of Prescription and Over-the-counter Medications and Dietary Supplements Among Older Adults in the United States
Dima M. Qato,G. Caleb Alexander,G. Caleb Alexander,Rena M. Conti,Michael Johnson,Phil Schumm,Stacy Tessler Lindau +6 more
TL;DR: In this sample of community-dwelling older adults, prescription and nonprescription medications were commonly used together, with nearly 1 in 25 individuals potentially at risk for a major drug-drug interaction.
Journal ArticleDOI
Adverse drug reactions in elderly patients.
TL;DR: Age itself should not be used as a reason for withholding adequate doses of effective therapies, and the clear risk of ADRs in this situation should be considered in the context that dose-related failure of existing therapy to manage the condition adequately may be one of the most important reasons for admission of the elderly to hospital.
Journal ArticleDOI
Drug therapy in the elderly: what doctors believe and patients actually do.
TL;DR: The results suggest that better information on medication and the use of compliance aids may prevent nonadherence, and special attention should be paid to persons receiving three or more drugs, living alone, receiving drugs from other doctors, and to persons with predementia symptoms, as they are at higher risk ofNonadherence.
Journal ArticleDOI
Medication non-adherence in the elderly: how big is the problem?
TL;DR: The role of the patient (irrespective of age) is critical in decision-making about medication, together with communication between patients and healthcare professionals, through the concept of concordance.
Journal ArticleDOI
Drug—Drug Interactions in the Elderly
TL;DR: Differences in the frequency and type of potential DDIs among countries were found and some combinations are likely to have negative effects; more attention must be focused on detecting and monitoring patients using such combinations.